Ch-ch-ch-changes

I'll make this brief because it's currently five past 10 and due to a variety of circumstances, this is now considered "late". Let me explain.

First things first, I've recently made a career change, switched jobs, or whatever you want to call it. My days on the desk at the T&G came to an end this past Sunday night, as I am moving into a fulltime position as Store Manager at the local running stop. Oddly enough, this will be my first full-time job since graduating from college, but even so, I will be working less than the 55-65 hours a week spread across the two jobs I've been holding down awhile now. Gotta grow up sometime I guess.

That being said, this was a difficult decision to make, but I really feel it's the best move for me at this stage of the game. My two-and-a-half years on the desk at the T&G were some of the most enjoyable times of my life and I will really miss performing on deadline with my fellow clowns under the big top on Franklin Street. I'll still be part of the traveling show from time to time, however, as my running column will continue to make its bi-weekly appearance.

As for the running thing, it's been going surprisingly well given the aforementioned hectic schedule. Hopefully these newfound regular work hours -- and absence of 12-15 hour days of going from one job to the next -- will be more conducive to hard training, but more importantly the adequate rest required recover from said hard training. I've fallen into a consistent pattern of 70-80 mile weeks of late which I hope to maintain, perhaps even add a little to, in building up to Vermont City on Memorial Day weekend. Consistency, above all else, is the key.

And while I'm on the subject of running, I've only raced once since Foxboro, that being this past weekend at New Bedford in the annual half marathon held there -- 30th annual in fact. In all honesty, it was my best race since graduating from college, as I crossed the line 8th overall in 1:09:53, a 54-second PR and a good confidence boost 10 weeks out from my 26.2-mile debut. Despite some vicious winds at certain points, I was able to stay confident and run strong the entire way. I'm thinking 2:24-26 isn't out of question at VCM if everything comes together at the right time. The last big race before May 27 will be the Broad Street Run in Philly on May 6, where a fast course and top-notch competition will hopefully bring me across the line in around 51 minutes. I'll also run Doyle's 5-miler on April 22, more as a speed workout than anything else, and maybe another short one if it fits into the schedule. Kevin and I still have some time to iron out the details there.

So, in a nutshell, that's what I've been up to of late. I should have some more time now to contribute to this space a bit more frequently than I have been, but I don't wanna make any promises just yet. Check back from time to time and see if there's anything new staring you in the face. Until I got something else to share, take it easy.

Quote of the day:

To suffer and learn a lesson, one pays a high price, but a fool can't learn any other way.
- Traditional Chinese proverb, and the story of my life